Disastrous Fires in California

I just wanted to extend my sympathy to all those affected by the fires in California. I know I am very minimally affected due to the smoke and ash surrounding the city I live and work in - Glendale. I hope all the people who have been affected are able to continue to hope, dream and love. Have a safe week.

My candle burns

I have been trying to find this poem for ages - it was my favorite in Junior High and remains one of my top 10 faves. Ahem:

"My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends--
It gives a lovely light!"

-- Edna St. Vincent Millay

It's a bit morbid, but beautiful at the same time. I love the imagery of a candle burning at both ends. It brings to mind both an actual candle burning at both ends - which I've always wanted to try doing, but I would need something to hold the candle in the middle and then something for wax control. It also brings to mind a teenager, or even a working mom - both the partiers and the brave people trying to make it in this world. This poem has been so thought provoking that I remember it from when I was 13 or so and it's stuck with me since. 13 was only 8 years ago - but that's a long time for me.

What an inspiring piece of art.

Quote

I saw the "Buddhist thought of the day" on google and I thought I'd share it:

"War can only be understood and put an end to if you and all those who are concerned very deeply with the survival of man, feel that you are utterly responsible for killing others. What will make you change? - J. Krishnamurti"

It reminds me of that quote "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

Food for thought.

Conscientious Objectors

I saw a news article today on Yahoo! that made me think. It's about a lieutenant in the army who has refused to deploy to Iraq - as he feels the war was started on a false premise that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction - which they did not have. I have to say I agree with what he says, and - though I'm more likely to be anti-war then some of you out there - I think you might too. Check it out. I put the permalink in, so this story should be there no matter when you look at it.

Also - as a side note to the story above - I watched Dan Rather's HDNET show the other night and he featured a soldier who refused to deploy and filed conscientious objector status. I am pretty sure (though I'm not a war historian) that this war is the first one in which a soldier and/or officer has ever filed for that status after willingly joining the military. As far as I can tell, it's because neither of them agree with this particular war - though they may be willing to fight others that made sense to them. This seems to be the new protestor - the soldier or officer in the army. During the Vietnam war the majority of objectors were people who didn't want to get drafted and hippies. It seems that America isn't willing to make the mistake of fighting a pointless war again, and even those who are commissioned to fight the war are realizing it. I say kudos to them.

Happy New Year

Wow! 2007 already! I've got all my resolutions written and am ready to begin the new year. I hope everyone out there has a happy and safe new year.

Looks like I'm big on quotes this time of year

I found this quote on a Christmas card that my boss got. I really like it:

“It is as if nature pauses to take a moment of silence, softly wishing for peace on earth.”

I don't know who wrote it, but it really touched me. I wish we had peace on earth, and around this time of year I think about it more and more often. So, let's all do our part this next year and try to achieve some peace in this crazy world.

I love this quote

"Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?" —Marie Antoinette

Happy Day after Turkey Day!

I hope everyone had a fun Thanksgiving! I tend to look at what I am thankful for on Thanksgiving and the day after, and I know I have a lot to be thankful for - my family, my friends, my boyfriend and his wonderful family, my job, my religion and so much more! I hope everyone was able to reflect on the great things they have to be thankful for in their lives and I hope that you're all out shopping or having fun in one way or the other today.

My 21st Birthday

Is almost here!!!! I've sent out invites and I am sooooo excited!!!!!!! :)

Happy Veteran's Day!

I know tomorrow is really Veteran’s day, but today is when the banks and everyone is taking the day off, so happy Veteran's Day everybody. I only know one veteran - my grandfather who is a WWII vet from the Royal Navy - but all the brave soldiers should be honored today. I hope all soldiers out in Iraq right now get home safely and get to be honored at Veteran's day for years to come.

National Novel Writing Month

November is National Novel Writing Month! I'd better get cranking...

The Office

I have discovered the TV show "The Office" and it has recently become one of my favorite shows. It's hilarious. I bought the 1st season and put it on my iPod. I am so happy that I can buy a whole season of my fave show - because I discovered "The Office" on reruns and now I can watch all of the episodes in order and commercial free! W00t! I have to know if Pam and Jim get together (the last episode of the season is the first one I saw). I've been wondering and I've decided it's something I must know! I'm a dork.

Family Reunion

I had a family reunion last weekend with my mom's family. It's always interesting to get a bunch of completely different people together, who's only reason to be there is that you share the same or similar blood and genes. I've always been pretty close to my family - we have a reunion just about every year. Even so, there's always little brother/sister tiffs and people who aren't fond of others in the family and little tensions here and there. My family is so diverse - mostly when it comes to religion - and I love them all, though I have to say I enjoy being around some more then others.
My boyfriend met them and he pointed out something that I found funny. My whole family has the same sense of humor, which is pretty funny because my dad does too, so it makes sense that my mom liked him.
Anywho, overall it was fun. We have a lot of musicians in the family, so we did a little variety show in my uncle's living room, went to the beach, shared pictures, and all that fun stuff.
Next year it's in Seattle. Brrrr....

San Francisco

I am very possibly going to San Francisco with my boyfriend for our anniversary. I am sooooo excited. San Francisco is one of the best cities EVER. I love it there. I hope we can go. I am going to post pics of the last time I went there next time I can get on to blogspot.

Oh - and I did see Wicked. It was wickedly good. There's this great line that Fiyero says: "I am genuinely self absorbed and deeply shallow". It was a brilliant show.

Wicked

I'm going to see Wicked the Musical today in San Diego. Yus yus. I'm excited. It's a birthday present for my bestest friendest and I'm really really happy. She gave me an awesome b-day present last year (tix to the Death Cab Show, yay!) and so I hope she loves this as much as I loved her present.
W00t! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

Which is better?

Which is better, men or women? I'm a woman and I know the pros and cons. Women can get whatever they want - so long as they are attractive - but they have downsides. We have a monthly visitor which sucks the life out of us at least one day of every month, at least that's what happens to me... and when we don't get it, it means we are pregnant, and - per my mom - labor is 100 times worse then cramps. Men on the other hand have to always seem tough and cool, have to get a woman and once they have her, pay for things for her, like rings and jewelry and such. But then women take care of men too. I'm a woman and I know I like being a girl. But maybe men have it better off. They don't go through periods and pregnancy. But periods and pregnancy also give woman a good excuse to act bitchy. So... I don't know. I'm just curious what others think on it.

Random thoughts

You know when you flick to another radio station and you come in right in the middle of a song you've never heard, but sounds really good? Do you ever get the feeling that you missed part of the thing, so it will never be as good or bad as it truly is. Like you aren't invested in it. It's like flicking to the middle of a movie on HBO and never seeing the beginning. I've done that so many times and it's really irritating. Last night I saw "LA Confidential" and I came in in the middle of the damned thing, which really sucks because I want to know how it begins now, and then once I find that out I'll probably watch the whole thing again. It's a really good movie, but I want to know how it begins! Argh.
Those are today's random thoughts. Peace out.

Skydiving

My boyfriend went skydiving and we just got the video. Awesome! :P

Hurray for free shows

I'm going to a free show tonight on Sunset to see Million Billion, another awesome band that I haven't linked to yet, but they are fabo... and do a lot of free shows. I'm excited. All ages free shows are where it's at. The last place I saw them was the Hotel Cafe - which is neither a hotel nor a cafe - about 1 1/2 years ago. It'll be fun to see them again. Yay! :)
Oh - there are other bands playing that I hope are good - I've never seen them - Canon, Holly Palmer and Valentino. I've heard Valentino's music on myspace, and it's pretty darn good.

Intro

Hey, this is my personal blog, with my thoughts... and stuff... and junk... hence the name. Hope whoever reads it enjoys it.